The American Chamber of Commerce in Bosnia and Herzegovina
presented the Administrative Guide for the Application of Grounds for
Exclusion of Bidders in Public Procurement Procedures on September 15,
2026, in Sarajevo. The document is intended for contracting authorities,
bidders, and other stakeholders within the public procurement system of Bosnia
and Herzegovina.
The Guide was developed to provide users with a clearer
framework for applying existing legal provisions related to the exclusion of
bidders. It addresses grounds for exclusion, evidence requirements,
proportionality, corrective measures, prohibited agreements, as well as the
roles and responsibilities of institutions involved in public procurement and
competition protection.
The document does not introduce new rules or replace the
existing legal framework. Its purpose is to present the relevant provisions
through clearer recommendations and tools that can support both contracting
authorities and bidders in their application. Particular attention is given to
the principle that decisions on exclusion should be based on relevant facts,
evidence, the circumstances of each case, and a clear understanding of the
respective responsibilities of competent authorities.
The event featured remarks by Nedim Hamzić, CEO of AmCham
BiH; Mila Crnogorac Bajić, Chair of the AmCham BiH Ethics & Compliance
Committee; Kristina Rihtar, Public Procurement Consultant and author of the
Guide; Elvir Rožnjaković, Acting Director of the Public Procurement Agency of
BiH; and Ninela Salihbašić, Member of the Competition Council of BiH.
The speakers addressed the reasons behind the development of
the Guide, its structure and application, the need for clearer and more
consistent practices among contracting authorities, as well as issues related
to prohibited agreements and collusive bidding. The final part of the event was
dedicated to questions from participants, allowing them to address topics
arising in their day-to-day work with public procurement procedures.
The Guide was developed through an analysis of the legal
framework and international practices, consultations with companies and
relevant institutions, focus groups, and engagement with bidders participating
in public procurement procedures.
The Administrative Guide will be available in digital
format on the AmCham BiH website and will also be distributed to media
outlets and relevant institutions. AmCham BiH encourages institutions and
organizations active in the field of public procurement to make the Guide
available through their own websites and communication channels.
In the coming period, AmCham BiH will also organize two
webinars dedicated to the application of the Guide, providing additional
clarification on specific areas and collecting feedback from users.
The Guide was developed within the project “Strengthening Public Procurement Integrity and Strategic Advocacy Capacity in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” implemented by AmCham BiH with the financial and mentoring support of the Center for International Private Enterprise – CIPE.
Final version of the Guide will be available on September 30. Current draft version is available at the link.
